Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi on Saturday demanded an FIR against those who allegedly performed a “purification” ritual at a Haldwani ground where Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge had addressed a rally earlier this month.
Gandhi described the incident as an act of “untouchability” against Kharge and said nearly 20 days had passed without action. He demanded that the accused be booked under the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act.
Rahul Gandhi attacks BJP-RSS
Addressing a press conference in New Delhi, Gandhi said the incident reflected a larger conflict between constitutional values and the ideology of the BJP and RSS.
“The fight is between the Indian Constitution and the ideologies of the BJP and the RSS,” he said.
Gandhi also criticised Uttarakhand BJP president Mahendra Bhatt for reportedly defending the ritual. Bhatt had said the venue was “purified” because slogans raised during Kharge’s rally had offended people who follow Sanatana Dharma. He also maintained that the ritual was not directed against anyone from a Scheduled Caste.
Gandhi, however, said the act amounted to untouchability and accused the BJP of failing to oppose caste-based discrimination.
“We demand that an FIR be lodged against those who have done this,” Gandhi said. “It is the duty of the Central and State governments to ensure that Kharge ji gets justice.”
Ritual performed after Kharge’s rally
The alleged purification ceremony was conducted at Ramlila Maidan in Haldwani on August 10, two days after Kharge addressed a Congress gathering there.
The Congress has alleged that the ritual was carried out by the Shri Ram Sena and claimed the group has links with the BJP. The BJP has denied any association with the group and said the ceremony was linked to objections over slogans allegedly raised during the Congress event.
Kharge had raised the issue in the Rajya Sabha on August 13 and sought action against those responsible. Union minister J P Nadda had said that the BJP did not support such activities and that the matter would be investigated.
Gandhi says Dalits face discrimination
Gandhi said untouchability remains a reality despite being prohibited by the Constitution. He cited alleged incidents of discrimination against Dalits in schools, public spaces and social settings.
“The more successful the Dalit person is, the more fierce the attack on him or her is,” he said, referring to alleged incidents involving Kharge and other Dalit leaders.
“When they do shuddhikaran, they say that Dalits cannot touch, as they are impure,” Gandhi added.
Gandhi also declined to comment on the controversy surrounding Sonia Gandhi’s memoir Belonging, calling questions on the issue a “digression strategy”.
“I don’t have any interest in this right now; I am interested in what they have done to Kharge ji,” he said.
